I've seen this behaviour in Java runtime installers. It caused me some headaches when deploying it as a prerequisite for our products because the product code for the same MSI differs depending on whether you install in parallel or as an upgrade. This leads me to suspect that a transform is applied after the user selects the installation type that alters the products code along with whatever else is required to make this work.
Id agree in that it feels wrong and is a fair bit of extra work. It makes it less easy to detect if the MSI is installed or not. However you know the reasons for your requirements better. -----Original Message----- From: Pally Sandher [mailto:pally.sand...@iesve.com] Sent: 15 September 2010 10:31 To: General discussion for Windows Installer XML toolset. Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Optional Install or Upgrade That seems like a rather nebulous requirement. In my experience packages either live side-by-side with older versions or they upgrade older packages, not both. I don't think it's going to be easy conditionally doing either using default Windows Installer behaviour. The Upgrade Table allows you to either schedule an upgrade or just set a Property (OnlyDetect="yes"). You could use it only detect older versions, then ask the user the question based on that Property's contents then use the response to choose whether to fire a Custom Action which modifies the ActionProperty column of the Upgrade table so RemoveExistingProducts can do it's thing if the older versions are to be uninstalled (may also need to modify the attributes column to remove the msidbUpgradeAttributesOnlyDetect flag). See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa371197(VS.85).aspx for RemoveExistingProducts behaviour. You'll need to be very careful with the Component rules if you do choose to go down this route (if it's even possible). Personally I'd do one or the other, both seems like causing more hassle than it's worth. Palbinder Sandher Software Deployment & IT Administrator T: +44 (0) 141 945 8500 F: +44 (0) 141 945 8501 http://www.iesve.com **Design, Simulate + Innovate with the <Virtual Environment>** Integrated Environmental Solutions Limited. Registered in Scotland No. SC151456 Registered Office - Helix Building, West Of Scotland Science Park, Glasgow G20 0SP Email Disclaimer -----Original Message----- From: Michael Osmond [mailto:mosm...@baytech.com.au] Sent: 14 September 2010 23:07 To: General discussion for Windows Installer XML toolset. Subject: [WiX-users] Optional Install or Upgrade Hello all, I have a need where a package will determine if a previous version exists, and then allow the user the option to upgrade the previous version, or to install the new version side by side with the existing, so both are available. My current thought was to use the Upgrade table to detect the version, and then modify the ActionProperty and remove a detected product depending on the user input. Also, I will need to deal with the path issues for files and registry (I have done side by side installs before). Has anyone got any guidance on doing this (or not doing it at all)? Regards Michael ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Start uncovering the many advantages of virtual appliances and start using them to simplify application deployment and accelerate your shift to cloud computing. http://p.sf.net/sfu/novell-sfdev2dev _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Start uncovering the many advantages of virtual appliances and start using them to simplify application deployment and accelerate your shift to cloud computing. http://p.sf.net/sfu/novell-sfdev2dev _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users </pre> <BR style="font-size:4px;"> <a href = "http://www.sdl.com";><img src="http://www.sdl.com/images/email logo_150dpi-01.png" alt="www.sdl.com" border="0"/></a> <BR> <font face="arial" size="2"><a href = "http://www.sdl.com"; style="color:005740; font-weight: bold">www.sdl.com</a></font> <BR> <BR> <font face="arial" size="1" color="#736F6E"> <b>SDL PLC confidential, all rights reserved.</b> If you are not the intended recipient of this mail SDL requests and requires that you delete it without acting upon or copying any of its contents, and we further request that you advise us.<BR> SDL PLC is a public limited company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02675207.<BR> Registered address: Globe House, Clivemont Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 7DY, UK. </font> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Start uncovering the many advantages of virtual appliances and start using them to simplify application deployment and accelerate your shift to cloud computing. http://p.sf.net/sfu/novell-sfdev2dev _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
